When you need dental surgery to address missing teeth, dental implants are a safe and effective solution. Anchorage residents count on Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska to provide this restorative treatment and improve their smiles and quality of life. Here, the oral surgeons explain how beneficial dental implants can be for patients dealing with tooth loss.

Natural-Looking Solution

Missing teeth can be bothersome for many reasons. You may have trouble chewing and speaking or protecting your gums from plaque and bacteria. Additionally, missing teeth can take a toll on your self-esteem, impacting your quality of life.

Fortunately, dental implants resolve this common dental issue. Unlike dentures, which can be uncomfortable, implants are inserted into the jaw to mimic the look and feel of natural teeth. That means you can enjoy a healthy and happy smile without worry.

Permanent Results

Dental implants are placed directly into the jawbone and held in place with a titanium root. This serves as an anchor that will eventually fuse with the bone, creating a sturdy foundation for the prosthetic. Patients must wait approximately three to six months for the anchor to become completely fused through a process known as osseointegration. Once total osseointegration has taken place, the artificial tooth can safely be attached to the root. This process ensures the implant will remain in place for many years.

Careful Patient Selection

Since placing implants involves dental surgery, every potential patient is screened for contraindications to ensure a positive outcome. Your oral surgeon will perform a thorough examination to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implants. Those who are in good overall health and have strong bones are ideal for this procedure, as they are more likely to heal and complete osseointegration. Certain health conditions, including chronic illnesses like diabetes, can impact your teeth and gums as well as the body’s natural ability to heal. If one of these issues affects you, the oral surgeon will find an alternate method to restore your smile.

When you need help replacing missing teeth and improving your smile, you can trust the team Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska to put your well-being first. This Anchorage practice takes an individualized approach to dental implants, offering pretreatments like bone grafting to increase the chances of success. Visit them online to learn more about their methods, and call (907) 561-1430 to schedule an appointment.